Reflecting on 2024

For our final column of 2024, we would like to share some words from our chief officer, Yak Patel.

As some of us in the sector wind down for the Christmas break and others prepare for one of the busiest times of the year, it’s a natural moment to reflect on the year gone by and to look ahead to the possibilities of 2025.

I want to take a moment to express my gratitude for the incredible contributions of our members, partners, funders and our communities throughout the year. 2024 has been a year of challenges, growth, and collaboration, and we are truly inspired by the dedication, resilience, and passion of our colleagues working in the voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise sector.

Together, we’ve achieved so much – from supporting our communities and championing equality and equity, to building networks that drive real, lasting change. Whether strengthening connections across neighborhoods or ensuring vital services reach those who need them most, you have had a profound and tangible impact on the lives of many.

Looking ahead to 2025, we remain committed to supporting you, amplifying your voices, and fostering even stronger partnerships to meet the evolving needs and aspirations of our district. There is much to work towards, and we are excited to continue this important journey with you all.

This festive season, I hope you find time to rest, reflect, and celebrate the successes of the year – you’ve certainly earned it! If you would like to know more about our work, and the work of the sector across our district, we’d be happy to share with you a graphic that outlines the key highlights of our work over the last year. Just contact a member of our team. You might spare 10 minutes, grab a drink, and take a moment to have a read.

Thank you for being such an integral part of our shared mission. On behalf of the team, we wish you, your teams, and your loved ones a joyful Christmas and a peaceful New Year.

Yak speaks not only for himself but for all of the Lancaster District CVS team. We’re incredibly grateful to you for reading this column and we hope that you’ve found something useful or inspiring in it through this past year. We’re looking forward to 2025 and being able to share with you more fabulous successes for our communities. Merry Christmas.